Top Budget 4K Action Cameras Under $500

+ Last Updated on January 13th, 2019

Have you been wanting to buy a new action cam but feels the GoPro is just too expensive? Well, almost all manufacturers out there have their own version of budget action cameras and some don’t come with a high price point. In fact, who says only the expensive ones can capture the most fun adventures?

To help you come up with the right decision, here’s a rundown of our own top budget action cameras:

DBPower N5 Pro WiFi Action Camera

This 20MP UHD recorder produces incredible images and footage. Thanks to a Sony sensor, recorded footage and stills look rich and detailed – just what you need to capture the beauty of nature.

Underwater enthusiasts can take the camera up to 100 feet under water. It also comes with two screens, one located at the front, to give you information on the camera. With built-in WiFi and a compatible app, you can easily transfer and edit footage before you share them.

The camera comes with some interesting functions too like Distortion Correction to eliminate the dreaded fisheye effect.

Vemico Action Camera 4K

If your adventures take you across different terrains and you’re looking for a capable and affordable device to document the journey, the Vemico Action Camera might be what you’re looking for. It can be taken 120 feet under water, as well as mounted on a helmet for biking or hiking adventures. This camera records in UHD at 30fps as well as 1080p at 30fps. It can also take 16MP stills.

Image quality is good thanks to a 16MP Sony sensor. The camera is pretty versatile as well with its different shooting modes, including burst photo mode, time lapse mode, and driving mode. It also has built-in WiFi for the easier sharing of captured footage and images.

Crosstour4KActionCamera

There’s a reason you buy a specific camera, and if you’re someone who wants to document your underwater adventures, then the Crosstour action camera might have what you need. It is a 170-degree wide angle 4K action camera that records professional 4K footage at 25fps, as well as 2.7K videos at 30fps. In addition, it can take 16MP stills.

The camera is waterproof for up to 30 meters and recordings and snaps can be viewed from a 2-inch LCD screen. It comes with a 2.4GHz wireless wrist remote control when it is mounted on your head or a selfie stick.

Akaso Brave 4 4K WiFi Action Camera

Capable of taking 20MP still images and recording 4K videos at 24fps, this action camera is an ideal companion for outdoor adventures or even strolls around the park. One of the great things about the Akaso Brave is that you can adjust the viewing angle to suit your needs: 170 degrees, 140 degrees, 110 degrees, and 70 degrees. And whether you take this out walking or biking, the built-in smart gyroscope ensures that footage has minimal shake.

The camera has a companion app where you can edit videos before sharing them to your social media profiles. Of course, connection is made through the built-in WiFi. Like other action cameras on this list, it is waterproof up to 100 feet and comes with a two-inch screen for previews.

CamparkACT744KActionCamera

Fitted with a 16MP Sony sensor, this action camera can capture impressive footage. It can record at the following resolutions: 4K at 30fps, 2.7K at 30fps, and 1080 at 30fps. Footage can even also be further enhanced with functions such as slow motion mode, time lapse, and loop recording.

The 170-degree wide angle lens ensures you don’t miss anything, be it underwater or up in the mountains. The Campark is waterproof up to 30 meters (around 98 feet) and can be controlled via smartphone with the built-in WiFi function. The camera also supports HDMI so you can easily connect it to a TV to watch or review the footage and images you have taken.

DROGRACE Sports DV Camera

Whether you like documenting underwater adventures or bike rides, the DROGRACE Sports DV camera has all the elements you need in an action camera. It not only features a durable waterproof case, but also has an IP68 level of protection.

The camera can be brought to 100 feet underwater, making it the perfect companion whether surfing, snorkeling, and diving. With a 170-degree wide-angle lens, a lot more of the scenery can be captured when biking on mountains or walking on trails.

Video and image quality is of course important and the DROGRACE does not disappoint. It shoots 4K and 1080p videos at 25fps and 60fps, respectively. In addition, it can capture 12MP stills. It also has built-in WiFi for easier sharing of footage and images on social media.

WeyTy WT100 Action Camera 4K

With a wide-angle lens that can be rotated freely from 70 degrees to 170 degrees, the WeyTy WT100 is versatile enough for your photographic needs. The camera can shoot 4K Ultra HD video and 16MP stills, which are stored in an SD card (up to 64GB).

The WeyTy can be taken to depths of up to 30 meters and comes with a complimentary waterproof case. As such, this is a perfect companion for documenting life no matter the weather.

Just like many modern cameras, the WiFi function allows the camera to be controlled via a smartphone or tablet. Battery life is decent, with a spare provided for the 1350mAh pack.

Powerextra 4K Waterproof Sport Action Camera

The Powerextra 4K Waterproof Sport Action Camera comes with two LCD screens: a two-inch display and a 0.95-inch menu screen. The camera can record 4K video at 25fps, 2.7k video at 30fps, and 1080p video at 60fps – all of which are saved to an SD card (up to 32GB is supported).

Framing shots with the Powerextra comes easy thanks to a wrist 2.4G wireless RF remote control. The camera also has WiFi support, which when paired with the companion app allows you to review photos and videos on your smartphone or tablet device.

The Powerextra can be taken up to 30 meters underwater but has a rather disappointing charging time of three hours in relation to a 90-minute recording time (using 1080p at 60fps).

NeuTab Xtrem 4K Action Camera

Equipped with a Sony IMX sensor and a wide-angle 170-degree lens, there is so much that the NeuTab Xtrem 4K action camera can “see.” As such, this makes an ideal companion for documenting upland adventures or simple strolls in the park. With an IPX8 protection level, the camera can endure underwater trips up to 30 meters.

The NeuTab Xtrem can be mounted on a helmet, on a bike, or just held in your hands. Built-in WiFi support also allows the easy sharing of media files on your favorite social media sites. For all its good attributes, its battery life could be better though.

YI Lite Action Camera

YI is making a dent in the drone market, but not to be overlooked is their action camera offering. Sleek and great to hold, the YI Lite action camera can take professional quality 4K videos at 20fps, 1080p videos at 30fps and 60fps. It is also capable of shooting 16MP stills.

Battery life is slightly better than other budget action cameras at 130 minutes. Preview and review of footage and still images are done through the two-inch LCD touchscreen. In addition to 2.4G/5G dual band WiFi for media transfer, the YI also supports Bluetooth 4.1 for controlling the camera remotely.

The camera also comes with several creative options, including burst, timelapse, and photo in video modes. Videos and stills are stored in a 16 to 64GB SD card.

Most of these cameras share the same features and functionalities. It all boils down to your own specific requirements. Portability may play a huge part in your buying decision if you’re always on the move. Or, you may have to get higher video resolution if you usually shoot at night and under extreme outdoor conditions.

So think hard how you’ll be using the camera and don’t just be swayed with its price range. By understanding exactly how you will use your action cam, your choice will eventually be the best buy.

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